National Apprenticeship Week – chance to learn while you work!
This month we are pleased to introduce our first graduate from our Surveying pathway, Lauren Smith, Commercial Administrator, Northern Division, who studied through our partner Geason training.
11th February 2021
This week is National Apprenticeship Week, with a focus on ‘Train, Retain and Achieve’. The initiative is asking those who support apprenticeships in their business to celebrate the diversity of opportunity and value that they can bring and inspire others by showing how they can help individuals and employers build their future.
The skills shortage within home building is one of the biggest challenges the sector faces and apprenticeships are a fantastic way to address these skills gaps whilst providing access to great careers and opportunities for new entrants to the sector and for development of existing employees. At McCarthy Stone we have over 100 apprentices on programmes in our Construction, Commercial, Development teams, support functions and within our services business. Studying a range of qualifications from Site management, Surveying, project management, to care skills and leadership qualifications.
This month we are pleased to announce our first graduate from our surveying pathway, Lauren Smith, Commercial Administrator, Northern Division. We asked her a few questions about her experiences during her apprenticeship:
What was the best thing about studying an apprenticeship?
I took the surveying route for the HNC (Higher National Certificate), and have learnt so much important information about financial, estimating and costing techniques, and was also able to learn a lot of technical information about working on sites.
I was able to watch the work the surveyors in the office were carrying out, as well as visit sites and see the work first hand.
What advice would you give to someone starting out?
If there is anything at all you don’t understand, do not be afraid to ask as the Site Managers are very helpful and will answer any questions you have. In my case I was lucky enough to be able to ask the Surveyors and Commercial Director too as I was working with them day-in day-out!
If you get the opportunity to be able to study an apprenticeship go for it! You can learn while working in the industry in order to progress your career. It will help with day to day working, and understanding how things actually happen on the job.
What is the most valuable thing you have learnt?
Ask as many questions as you can, if there is anything you don’t understand it is best to get your answers from your tutor who is there to help you – and ask the people working around you too! If you can, try to spend some time shadowing the site managers/surveyors for some first-hand experience.
I think before my apprenticeship I was sometimes scared to ask questions in case people think “what a silly question” or “you should probably already know that” but I have found it is one of the best ways to learn.
What are you planning on doing next?
I am hoping that in the near future as a result of my HNC I can move a step up in the career ladder to become an Assistant Quantity Surveyor
Why should someone do an apprenticeship?
Because whilst you are learning the information, you are working within the industry at the same time, and able to see the practical side of it and what actually goes on! If you would like to find out more about the apprenticeships we have available please contact Paul Croft.
